The regiment was formed in September 1862 at Camp Briggs under MajorOliver Edwards and served until the end of the war in April 1865. Companies A, B, and C were Zouaves units known as the "Tremont Zouaves" under the command of Capt. C.S. Bird. Their uniforms consisted of a dark blue jacket with red trim, a long red wool sash, chasseur trousers of dark blue wool, a red stocking fez cap, and white canvas leggings.
In the summer of 1864, the regiment received the Spencer repeating rifle which greatly increased its firepower.
It was formed from volunteers mainly from the far western counties of Massachusetts, and it subsequently absorbed members of other units (notably the 7th and the 10th Massachusetts) in May and June 1864. The 37th was one of the first regiments to be issued the new Spencer repeating rifle, on July 15, 1864, increasing their firepower. During service in the regiment a total of 4 Officers and 165 enlisted men were killed or mortally wounded, and 92 enlisted men were killed by disease. Total 261.[1][2]
During the Battle of Sailor's Creek Virginia, April 6, 1865, Private David Dunnels White of the 37th Massachusetts Regiment, was credited with capturing Confederate Major General George Washington Custis Lee, eldest son of the famed General Robert E. Lee.
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